This will be my annual New Year’s Eve plea. Attention all of you revelers:

You are going to consume adult beverages tonight. Some of you are very likely going to make complete fools out of yourselves. Some of you are going to engage in the stupid tradition of busting off a few rounds from a gun into the air to bring in the New Year. Don’t. Really. The sound is not going to scare off the bad joss of 2008. You’re not going to look good with bleeding ears. Your date will not appreciate the ringing ears that will be endured for a few days. And the bullets are going to come down somewhere. Do not be an IDIOT.

Treat every gun as if it is loaded.

Never point a gun at something you do not intend to shoot.

Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.

Know your target and what’s behind it (this is the part for you folks who want to shoot off a gun in the air).